LANCASHIRE youngsters Paddy McKeown and Andrew Flintoff were today called up by England.

They were chosen to share 12th man duties for the first test against Pakistan at Lord's.

It was the second Lord's test for England Under 19s all-rounder Flintoff, who teamed up with Graham Lloyd in the Second Test against India last month.

But for McKeown, the 20-year-old opener currently playing club cricket for St Helens, the call up came out of the blue. "I couldn't believe it when I opened the letter," he said. "It's a great honour and should be a fantastic experience."

Both McKeown and Flintoff are recognised as two of the most athletic fielders on the Lancashire staff. McKeown has had a superb season, his second with Lancashire, and passed 1,000 runs for the second team with his fourth century against Northants at Bedford College on Monday.

Yesterday he added another 60 in the second innings, but rain ruined any chance of a result after Northants had set Lancashire 269 to win.

Nick Speak played in that game and travelled across from Bedford to Cardiff last night for today's championship game against Glamorgan.

Ian Austin replaced Steve Elworthy as the hosts elected to bat and moved on to 70 for one.

Glen Chapple picked up the wicket bowling James for 18.

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